'Muslims, hindus and Christians are living peacefully Pakistan. In a country having population of 180 million people" - your point. You probably live somewhere in a small village in the mountains, and not in the urban cities. Even normal Pakistani Muslims (particularly Shhias) are not "living peacefully". Every time I visit, the situation in much worse. A known bandit is the Interior Minister there. My Pakistan friends have suggested that in future we should hold our discussions in Dubai.

Yes, Pakistan is an issue - a theocratic state like Israel. Both do not have a future in the 21st century. Here is an interesting editorial that I picked up yesterday (from a leading newspaper in that country):

"Israel and Pakistan
By Khaled Ahmed
Published: September 1, 2012

CNN host Christiane Amanpour talked to former Israeli foreign minister Ms Tzipi Livni on August 10, 2012 on Israel going religious. Amanpour asked why she had resigned from the centrist opposition Kadima Party and left the Israeli parliament in May 2012. Ms Livni accused the ultraorthodox elements of Israel of wielding more power than they should. She thought other parties gave the monopoly on the Jewishness of the state of Israel to the rabbis. She attacked Likud chief and prime minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu for kowtowing to the ultraorthodox.

The ultraorthodox Jews, she said, believed that the sole source of authority was not the law or the Supreme Court but the Halakha, the Torah, the rabbi. She believed that Israel “needed a constitution and a clear definition of what the Jewish state really is”. She said: “The meaning of a Jewish state is from a national perspective, not a religious one. And we need to define this in a constitution”.

Pakistanis believe that Pakistan and Israel are the only two states which came into being in the name of religion. They imply that Israel is a religious state. Insofar as the Pakistan Movement in British India and Zionism in Europe were born in a secular environment, the comparison between Zionist founder Theodor Herzl and founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah is valid.

Herzl was rejected by the rabbis of Europe and Russia; so was Jinnah by the dominant religious parties of India. If Jinnah created Pakistan for Muslims of India, then his struggle is comparable to Herzl’s Zionist struggle for the creation of a homeland for the Jews.

Are both religious states? Today, ‘officially’, Jinnah created Pakistan for Islam. This doesn’t jibe with Herzl’s Zionism. After 1948, Israel was ruled by socialist Ben Gurion and his Mapai Party which later became the Labour Party. Jinnah announced, in September 1947, that Pakistan would be a secular state. In this, he can be compared to Ben Gurion, who declared Israel a secular liberal democracy in 1948.

But former prime minister Ben Gurion should actually be compared to prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan and here the comparison becomes invalid. In 1949, Liaquat Ali Khan tabled the Objectives Resolution and termed the Holy Quran and Sunnah the founding principles of the state. Ben Gurion stuck to the Declaration of Independence which said that Israel would be secular.

Because of the quarrel over religion, the Israeli constitution could never be made. A theocratic Israeli state could not be accommodated because of Western objection and the dominant Ashkenazim opposition.

But there are ‘negative’ similarities. Israel began by ethnically cleansing the non-Jews. Then, it failed to negotiate a social contract with the residual Palestinian Arabs in Israel. Two million people were driven out and Ben Gurion failed to negotiate his democracy with the one million Arabs left behind. Pakistan and India ethnically cleansed a mass of population from both sides.

The Objectives Resolution of 1949 gave full rights to the minorities. The Declaration of Independence of Israel promised “full rights to all citizens without distinction of race, creed or sex”.

Israel never declared martial law like Pakistan but it put the Arab territories under military rule which denied fundamental rights to the Arabs. Pakistan’s martial laws denied fundamental rights to all Pakistanis.

Pakistan’s religious parties are given extra-electoral power by the politics of sharia and jihad. The ultraorthodox rabbis in Israel have the same kind of leverage. Both Israel and Pakistan are ‘security states’. Many Israeli prime ministers have been ex-generals. Pakistani generals also rule Pakistan. Both have been protégés of the West during the Cold War."

Interesting article. All the Abrahamic religions have been the a global problem for hundreds of centuries!! Good luck to the "believers" in all countries - I hope they "see the light" and understand that it is not worth quarreling about things written in archaic holy books!!! Both the priests and the politicians who rouse passions using these holy books deserve a place in hell (if, indeed, it exists).

Mr. Imran Khan supports the extremist islamic elements of Pakistan this was evident from the fact that he never spoke against the blasphemy law nor ever stood up in support of the persecuted Hindus or Christians of Pakistan.

I wish the leaders of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Russia, could just sit down and come up with a grand plan that actually benefits the decent people of this region. Not some silly treaty but a 100 year plan. We need a grand vision that goes beyond hurting each other. Just accept that we are all breathing oxygen and then build like you have never built before. Get rid of barbed wire, and paper work on borders. We need Bullet trains, Universities, tourist hubs. England and France became friends! How did they do it? They even built a 30 mile tunnel under the sea so the British can go to Paris and be with someone like Amelie. The French probably come to England looking for someone like Harry Potter. They are attracted to each other's weirdness. Asia is full of weird and exotic things, it can become a paradise.

I hate "organized religion" and believe in secular ideals. Out of 14 million Jews, the ultra-right are no more than 2 million - the rest (12 million) are potentially my friends. Therefore, religion is not an issue here - state-sponsored religion is an issue. Since you claim to know a lot about Pakistan (presumably you have been there??), I am unable to offer a detailed rebuttal - because I only go there for business a few times a year. However, just like there are liberal Jews, there are many liberal Pakistanis. Here is a article written by a Pakistani in an Israeli magazine (972):

"What do we seek to gain from this dialogue? Here are a few things that come to my mind:

1. To develop a genuine people-to-people contact (instead of State-sponsored and State-controlled, elitist, shallow contact) between Israel and Pakistan;

2. To make the people of Pakistan aware that there exists an Israel which is much different and larger than the one seen through the narrow Saudi Arabian or Iranian lenses frequently used in Pakistan;

3. To make the people of Israel aware that Pakistani society can be much more inclusive and tolerant if liberated from the shackles of Islamism which, in Pakistan, is mainly sponsored by Saudi Arabia and the tiny but financially powerful Sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf;

4. To make people of Pakistan aware that there are bold voices in Israel which oppose the occupation and seek a political resolution. Pakistanis can learn about the diversity of approaches, and open dialogue among those committed to ending the occupation.

5. To make the people of Israel aware of the extreme brutalities that certain ethnic and religious groups (Balochs, Pashtuns, Shias, Ahmadis, Christians, Hindus, etc.) in Pakistan are currently facing at the hands of the military state and its Jihadist and Islamist proxies.

6. To make the people of Pakistan aware of the internal religious and political diversity of the people of Israel;

7. To make the people of Israel aware of how mainstream media (both Pakistani and international media) twists and misrepresents certain news about Pakistani society and its people;

In reaction to a question on my Facebook and Twitter, the response to the prospects of Pakistan-Israel dialogue has been clearly positive. Out of a total of 76 feedbacks that I received, 90 percent were in support of the dialogue while less than 10 percent expressed concerns due to political reasons and clouded judgement, e.g., “Israel is an illegitimate State,” “Jews cannot be our trusted friends,” “Israel is an occupier” etc.

Therefore, it is imperative that we have this dialogue. I cannot speak for my friends in Israel but amongst upper-middle class Pakistanis (including expats), there is a mindset that has internalized opposition to Israel’s policies. The resulting conspiracy theory laden mindset and borderline anti-Semitism has prevented many Pakistanis from having a much needed dialogue – a dialogue that will only help in clearing the resentment and understanding each other.

I am aware that our friends at +972 have always wanted to bring the voices of both Israeli and Palestinian communities. Thus our contact is also an opportunity for Pakistanis to encounter both Israeli and Palestinian communities.

At LUBP, we value diversity and heterogeneity – both of opinion and of the social makeup of Pakistan. At the time of Partition in 1947, there were significant Jewish communities in Pakistan – especially in the metropolis of Karachi. Their subsequent departure, along with that of other targeted groups, has damaged our social fabric and pluralist society. We hope that we can rebuild a Pakistan in which people of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds feel equally valued and included. Acceptance of difference is consistent with our egalitarian interpretation of Islam and is also an integral part of the tolerant culture of the Subcontinent.

Overall, we are very excited to build such a relationship between Pakistani and Israeli and Palestinian bloggers. We understand that members of this dialogue in their respective countries may be subject to harsh criticism. However, as an alternative media outlet we are willing to accept such challenges which will only strengthen our resolve to develop better understanding between our nations. Long live Pakistan, Israel and Palestine."

You are very proud that the reproduction rate of right-wing people is very high. Very perverse and strange logic!!! You live in a different world - of the continuation of hate - of more babies for people who hate and like to kill - a very sad world indeed. Mine is a much happier world where human values are more important than religion and race. My world is growing daily - yours is still living in the world of ancient texts, violent prophets, territorial expansion based on divine promises, apartheid, racism, a deep-rooted Stockholm syndrome (i.e., adore the bully and the oppressor), insularity, inbreeding and narcissistic hypochondria!!!

Imran Khan,
Your heart is in the right place. Your views are some what idealistic and even romantic. But you seem to believe it and your sincerity shines through. Even if a small part of your ideas come to fruition, the whole world will be a better place ... wish you the very very best in the tough task ahead. We all are rooting for you.

You have no idea about South Asia. India is a huge economy with growing international linkages. Re fairy tales - I agree. All Abrahamic religious books are "fairy tales" including the Koran. But it is a very peaceful book compared to the OT - full of genocide, rape, incest, and gruesome murders.

He should be hung - death is the punishment for blasphemy. He did much worse - he tried to end an innocent life. Re parts - I think they should chop his dick first - the ceremony should be attended by all the local mullah's.

what is it about truth and the Pakistanis.
Why do always ignore the major factors such the killing of some 20% of your population of Hindus and Christians. By now they would have numbered some 36 million people.
And why do you always skirt pass the issue of 4 million Bangladeshi deliberately killed by your army and obviously supported by you Pakistanis.

You can eye ball us when you start putting killers like Kayani on trial .
But before that learn to tell the truth.

I agree - however, with even 40-50 seats he can influence politics in a very big way. The Urdu-speaking party (based in Karachi) has less than 20 seats - but they have a huge influence in politics. Zardari spends half his time placating them. It is very funny over there - the whole country speaks Urdu, and yet the Urdu-speakers have their own political party??? The Punjabi-speakers do not have a political party. Very funny.

Mr. Johnsam, A country having 180 million people with 30-35% literacy rate, ruled by feudalists and bad administrators can have such instances not only with Hindus or Christian but with many of poor Muslims as well. As far as Shia's and sunni's are concerned, its same like protestants and Catholics...difference of opinions. Sometime, tensions increase and sometime these are defused. Mostly there are no big clashes like it happened few decades earlier in case of Protestants and Catholics. Recently there were few terrorist activities took place in Gilgit that are condemned at every level. It’s the irresponsible media who tries to reflect that everything going wrong in this country. I would emphasize again the bigger problems of this country are bad administration, illiteracy and poverty. If these are controlled, everyone will witness a different Pakistan.

He doesn't support rather loudly condemns extremist elements in Pakistani society. I would not call them "Islamic" as they don't have even a remote link with real Islam n its teachings. Imran Khan only asks to stop international violenece in shape of "Drone Attacks" in troubled areas, instead improving the economic situation and establishing a dialogue.

Muslims, hindus and Christians are living peacefully Pakistan. In a country having population of 180 million people, few instances may occur that catch unnecessary media attention. No instances like Muslim killings in Indian Gujrat, Sikhs killings in US, Muslim killings in Burma etc have ever been witnessed in Pakistan.

Wrong use of any law doesn't make any law bad. Imran Khan's party is "justice party" and it clearly condemns wrong use of any law including blasphemy law.

You said: "Acceptance of difference is consistent with our egalitarian interpretation of Islam and is also an integral part of the tolerant culture of the Subcontinent." - this is your comment - first paragraph. Clearly you respond to comments without reading them first. This quotation was not from me - it was from an Israeli magazine (+972 magazine). Please read and think - and respond after taking your medication. I keep telling you that I am not a Muslim - I am an agnostic and against all the Abrahamic religions - all 3 of them!!! Their holy books (particularly the Old Testament) are the source of global problems. You keep talking about the West. Read the last 10 centuries of your own history. All European nations have both killed and marginalized the Jews - particularly Spain, France, Russia and Germany. Jews lived peacefully in Muslim countries. No killing - no slaughter. Be honest with yourself - it is a historical fact. Even Hitler offered to let the Jews go to other countries in 1938 - i.e., leave Germany. Read the detailed transcripts of the Evian conference of 1938. None of the Western countries (including the USA) wanted to take the Jews. Hence, Hitler's "final solution". Your deep love of the "oppressor" is a clear sign of the Stockholm syndrome. Or is it the Shylock syndrome (read Shakespeare) - i.e., the love of anybody who has money?? Time to change your alliances - China is getting rich!!! Regarding your views about the subcontinent - they are hilarious - do you have a drinking problem?? The subcontinent has history, a famous cuisine, music, film, art, dance, literature, and now, a high economic growth rate. Ever heard about Israeli cuisine?? It must be borscht, knish and zakuski followed by kisel and lymonnyk. Even the best singer is Israel these days is from Iran, and sings her songs in Persian!!! In Asia, the Indian film industry is growing rapidly. Art films from Korea, Japan, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey are receiving international film awards. And Asian food is now globally very popular - Indian, Japanese, Thai, Arab, Chinese, Vietnamese, etc. Literature from Asia is flourishing - so is art. Obviously you do not travel far from Yorkville, Toronto!!!

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It is true that the failing Muslim state resembles the Zionist state in areas such as its abhorrent treatment of minorities, its extraterritorial ambitions, its religious extremism, racial supremacism and of course, its bloody history.
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